A Brief (Video) History of Drinking Liquids in Space and the Cocktail Glass That Might Change It All

There are certainly at lot of things to consider when designing for space travel, and basics such as hydration are no exception. For years, the Zero Gravity Cocktail Project has been working to come up with the best way to enjoy your cosmopolitan in the cosmos and they've landed on a design that's a big improvement over the liquid-filled baggies astronauts have long grappled with. For those of you who have never considered what it would be like to sip in space, I've sprinkled a few videos exhibiting this inconvenience throughout. Observe:

Back to the glass at hand. Zero-Gravity's vessel depends on a grooved surface and capillary action—the ability liquid has to flow in narrow spaces without the advantage or disadvantage of gravity—to keep any celestial messes at bay. The Cosmic Lifestyle Corporation—"a boutique concept, design and branding company that develops stylish products for off-world use while connecting Earth brands to space," as stated on their website—is responsible for the space-age design. While it would get great use from today's astronauts (hey, spacewalking deserves an end-of-the-day drink), it seems more intended for the future population of permanent space-dwellers. Along with the martini glass, the group is also working on the Drinkbot, a mechanized bartender (in theory) which mixes liquids in weightlessness and dispenses the cocktail into the Zero Gravity glass.

The Zero Gravity Cocktail Glass

So why a bar set and not a more commonly used kitchenware? Founder of The Cosmic Lifestyle Corporation and space tourism futurist Samuel Coniglio explains:

The Zero Gravity Cocktail Project is an attempt to bridge the gap between the space tourism vision and mainstream reality. By creating a fun object that appeals to many people, we hope to show that space tourism is not an abstract concept but a stepping stone for improving the way people live, work and play beyond planet Earth.

That "cup" sure looks like a glorified pouch to me

That "cup" sure looks like a glorified pouch to me

As of press time, the Drinkbot is still under construction and the first 3D-printed prototypes of the cocktail glass have been made. Stay tuned to their website for updates, space heads. Until then, check out this video of a resourceful astronaut who just couldn't handle another pouched beverage:

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Erika is the editorial assistant at Core77. When she isn't covering design, you can find her writing about music, food, and healthy living habits. But mostly music. She also has a strong affinity for hedgehogs, bowling, and bands with goofy names.

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